Category: NSW News

More rapid antigen tests will be supplied to teachers and students and flexible school based measures are being rolled out to help schools continue to operate through increased COVID-19 impacts.
 
The adjustments are outlined in COVID-smart school guidelines released today by the NSW Government in response to increasing COVID-19 cases in the community.
 
Minister for Education and Early Learning, Sarah Mitchell said the temporary measures have been put in place until at least the end of Term 1.
 
“A multipack of at least five RATs will be available for students and teachers at every school as needed to use when symptomatic because we know rapid antigen testing is an effective measure in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Additional tests will also be provided for early childhood educators and staff,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
Where a community is experiencing an increase in COVID cases, the Department may direct the local school to adopt additional proportionate measures for a short period of time, such as requiring staff, adult visitors or high school students to wear masks indoors, or moving assemblies or large gatherings outdoors.
 
“These tailored measures will support the continuity of face-to-face learning and help to protect students and staff by reducing in-school transmission of COVID-19,” Ms Mitchell said.
 
“With a significant proportion of new cases being school aged children, it is important that we all do our part to help schools remain operational by staying home if you’re sick and test if you’re experiencing any symptoms or are a close contact.
 
“It is prudent that we continue to review and adjust our settings to deal with the challenges we will face throughout the school year to ensure students continue to receive face-to-face learning.”
 
Details of the COVID-Smart school settings are available on the NSW Department of Education website: https://education.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.

Forgetting or losing vehicle registration paperwork is now a thing of the past, with the NSW Government launching a fully digitised, paperless rego service.
 
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the new Digital Vehicle Registration service is a one-stop shop for millions of drivers, offering digital renewal notifications and a Certificate of Registration all in one place.
 
“Around 16 per cent of registrations are not renewed on time due to paperwork being damaged, misplaced or simply stuck on the fridge and forgotten about,” Mr Dominello said.
 
“Through the new service, motorists can opt-in to get electronic reminder notices and access their digital Certificate of Registration through their MyServiceNSW Account.”
 
Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the service will save drivers time and will also help reduce the 7.2 million paper renewals sent by Transport for NSW each year.
 
“This service has been piloted using more than 1000 vehicles to great success, with 95 per cent of drivers giving the opt-in process the thumbs up,” Mrs Ward said.
 
“Although you can already renew your rego online, this additional option makes life easier for drivers by providing them with more information in the palm of their hand.”
 
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the service will benefit drivers across all communities.
 
“Whether you’re a parent in Western Sydney, a young professional in the bush or a retiree on the coast, we want to take the hassle out of renewing your rego,” Mr Farraway said.
 
“My message to drivers is simple – give the new service a go and reap the rewards.”
 
Customers who opt-in will receive reminder notifications six and two weeks before their registration expires and one day after via email, in their MyServiceNSW account and by push notifications in the Service NSW app.
 
The service was jointly funded between the Digital Restart Fund and Transport for NSW.
The service is optional meaning customers will continue to receive a paper renewal notice unless they opt-in.
To opt-in to Digital Vehicle Registration, visit service.nsw.gov.au.

Detectives have charged six people – including three real estate agents – following an investigation into the alleged use of rental properties for the cultivation of cannabis, and fraudulent acquisition of COVID-19 rental relief payments.

Between July and August 2021, police dismantled a number of sophisticated hydroponic cannabis set-ups located within homes in the Fairfield area, seizing cannabis with a combined estimated potential street value of $2 million.

Officers attached to Fairfield City Police Area Command subsequently established Strike Force Delbo to investigate the activities of a criminal syndicate involved in the enhanced indoor cultivation of cannabis across Sydney’s south-west.

Strike force detectives were assisted throughout the investigation by NSW Fair Trading.

As part of ongoing inquiries, police identified several large-scale fraudulent applications submitted under the NSW Government COVID-19 Residential Tenancy Support Package scheme.

Following extensive inquiries, a 52-year-old man was arrested during a vehicle stop at Cecil Hills about 7am yesterday (Wednesday 23 March 2022).

During a subsequent search of the vehicle, police located and seized $5000 cash and mobile phones.

A short time later, a 44-year-old man was arrested at a home at Bonnyrigg, before officers executed a search warrant at a home at Cecil Hills. Several items were seized for further examination.

Both men were taken to Fairfield Police Station, where the older man – who is a real estate agent – was charged with 10 offences including; knowingly direct activities of criminal group, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, make false document to obtain financial advantage and use false document to obtain financial advantage.

The younger man was charged with cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

Both men were refused bail and are due to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 24 March 2022).

Later that day, two men – both aged 35 – and a 37-year-old woman were arrested at Fairfield Police Station.

A 35-year-old Middleton Grange man – who is a real estate agent – was charged with nine offences including; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity), dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, attempt dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and make false document to obtain financial advantage.

A 35-year-old Smithfield man was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and two counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity).

A 37-year-old woman – who is a real estate agent – was charged with eight offences including; participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, make false document to obtain financial advantage and use false document to obtain financial advantage.

All three were refused bail and are due to appear at Fairfield Local Court today (Thursday 24 March 2022).

About 10am, a 23-year-old man was arrested at Marrickville and charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and four counts of cultivate prohibited plant (commercial quantity). He appeared at Newtown Local Court the same day and was granted strict conditional bail to reappear at Fairfield Local Court on Tuesday 25 May 2022.

Fairfield City Police Area Command Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Luke Scott, said several of the syndicate’s members allegedly facilitated the frauds by abusing their employment in the real estate industry.

“We will be alleging these people used their position as trusted insiders in the real estate industry to defraud their own clientele and public money meant for those who need it most,” Det Insp Scott said.

“The properties that were allegedly utilised by this syndicate to grow cannabis were subleased to members of the public who had no idea their name was on the lease agreement, as was the case when it came to the fraudulently obtained rental relief and bond payments.

“The nature of this fraud is particularly scandalous and predatory; the community won’t tolerate it, and those involved now have our court system to answer to,” Det Insp Scott said.

Small businesses hit hardest by the Omicron wave have been handed a further lifeline, with the Small Business Support Program extended to a new closing date of 29 April 2022.
 
The financial support package has assisted businesses, workers and the performing arts across NSW with cash flow and to continue trading.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the four-week extension was important to ensure small businesses have the resources they need to survive COVID-19 and bounce back.
 
“This extension will allow more businesses to apply, and takes into account potential application delays for businesses from flood-affected areas,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The pandemic and floods have been tough for so many over the past couple of months. But this targeted support helps place our economy in a resilience and recovery phase.”
 
Small Business Minister Eleni Petinos said that due to the crucial role played by the 800,000 small businesses across NSW in providing essential goods, services and jobs, the Government wanted to ensure sufficient time was provided for as many to apply as possible.
 
“Many of these businesses experienced challenges due to the Omicron wave of the pandemic, and we understand the pressures they face,” Ms Petinos said.
 
“This targeted program will support impacted small businesses and help them bounce back after a challenging start to the year.”
 
The Small Business Support Program provides eligible businesses a lump sum payment of 20 per cent of weekly payroll with a minimum payment of $500 per week and a maximum payment of $5,000 per week. Businesses with an annual turnover of between $75,000 and $50 million that experienced a decline in turnover of at least 40 per cent in January 2022 and the start of February 2022 are eligible.
 
For more information please visit nsw.gov.au/.

NSW will be home to the world’s first 100 per cent renewable energy shore powered shipping precinct, at the Bays Port in the heart of Sydney.
 
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said Bays Port, which includes Glebe Island and White Bay, will be the first bulk shipping precinct fully supplied by shore power. The White Bay Cruise Terminal will also be the first shore powered cruise berth in the Southern Hemisphere.
 
“Our Government is creating the ports of the future and in doing so transforming the communities in which they continue to operate,” Mr Elliott said.
 
“The first berth is set to come online in 2024, and will allow shore power capable ships to cut their diesel generators, and thereby reducing emissions, air pollution and noise levels whilst at port.
 
“Shore power is cleaner and quieter, minimising the impact of ships on neighbouring areas and ensuring our last remaining deep water harbour berths continue to operate sustainably into the future,” Mr Elliott said.
 
In the Bays Port area alone, renewable shore power will remove up to 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere over 12 months, the equivalent of taking over 4,000 cars off our roads every year.
 
The Port Authority of NSW CEO, Captain Philip Holliday, announced the net zero and shore power plan with the support of bulk shipping and cruise industry leaders.
 
“This is an historic partnership with the Port Authority of NSW investing over $60 million to deliver this infrastructure as the first step, with port users already pledging to retrofit and build ships to take advantage of this technology,” Captain Holliday said.
 
“Delivering Shore Power will drive us even further than our already ambitious NSW net zero targets, of a 75 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and be net zero by 2040.”

Sustainable, economically viable and environmentally friendly projects have received NSW Government funding through a program which is fostering innovation through the state’s world-leading researchers and companies.
 
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the Circular Economy Challenge Program will help to remove barriers and build new sustainable supply chains that minimise or eliminate waste as well as generate jobs and investment in new circular industries.
 
“The Circular Economy refers to a model of production and consumption which aims to eliminate waste by keeping products and materials in use through innovative methods,” Mr Henskens said.
 
“This funding is supporting exciting ways for businesses and people to participate in the new zero-carbon, zero-waste circular economy, ensuring NSW stays at the forefront of innovation and research in this area.”
 
The funding was announced today, coinciding with Minister Henskens addressing the Australia Circular Economy Forum hosted by NSW Circular.
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the projects are focused on solving the greatest environmental challenges through innovation.
 
“The circular economy is already in action in NSW, through programs including our wildly successful Return and Earn scheme, which has had more than 7 billion plastic containers returned,” Mr Griffin said.
 
“I’m focused on boosting the circular economy even more to help support our environment through the NSW Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, which begins implementation this year.”
 
NSW Circular CEO Lisa McLean said collaboration is the key to solving the big challenges of transitioning to a circular economy.
 
“These research projects are proving there are new and better ways to reduce, recycle and reuse waste across many sectors – health, waste management, construction, infrastructure and finance,” Ms McLean said.

Shark response capabilities will be enhanced at beaches across the state, with the NSW Government announcing a boost of $4.4 million for a suite of immediate additional mitigation methods, as well as ongoing funding of more than $85 million to continue this strategy until 2026.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said shark interactions are always possible, regardless of the technologies deployed – but it is critical for the NSW Government to do everything possible to reduce that risk to the millions of beachgoers who hit the water every year.

“The tragic event at Little Bay earlier this year was another reminder of the threat posed by sharks and the need to take steps to ensure we can coexist as safely as possible,” Mr Saunders said.

“We are not only announcing immediate additional response capabilities, including more Shark Listening Stations, SMART Drumlines and Rapid Response Vehicles, but we’re also committing to ongoing funding for future mitigation to protect our beachgoers for years to come.”

The immediate additional response package includes:

• 10 additional VR4G Listening Stations;
• 60 extra SMART drumlines;
• 500 more shark tags to trace sharks caught on an expanded drumline roll out;
• Funding for four more Rapid Response Vessels;
• Long Range Drone Trials in partnership with Surf Life Saving NSW;
• Additional Surf Life Saving resources to increase their presence at beaches; and,
• Applied research into wetsuit materials to reduce the impact of shark attacks.

The $85.6 million 2022-2026 Shark Management Program will include:

• The extension of the 51 nets currently deployed seasonally as part of the Shark Meshing Program;
• The continuity and expansion of the SMART drumline program;
• The establishment of a First Responder Team based across NSW to coordinate the government’s response to shark incidents;
• Keeping the NSW Government’s 37 shark listening stations across the coast;
• More funding to Surf Life Saving NSW to continue and expand aerial surveillance using drones across the state’s coastline;
• Funding to continue to enable Surfing NSW to provide shark mitigation supports and services such as trauma kits during riding competitions and surf schools;
• Research funding for new tools, technologies and further insights into shark behaviour; and,
• An annual survey of community confidence and sentiment in NSW Government shark mitigation efforts.

Mr Saunders said the investment builds on an already extensive suite of mitigation methods.

“This summer alone, the NSW Government committed $21.4 million to implement a number of extra mitigation tools, including SMART drumlines, drone technology, 16 additional shark listening stations, 51 shark nets, the Shark Smart app and community awareness campaigns, so today’s funding will be a welcome boost to build on these initiatives,” Mr Saunders said.

“We know sharks can be extremely dangerous and aggressive, but they’re also part of what makes NSW’s marine life so beautiful, so we need to make sure we continue to have state-of-the-art technology in place to allow them and beachgoers to coexist.

“There is no other jurisdiction in Australia or across the globe which has done as much testing and trialling of technology and approaches to mitigate shark interactions, and our shark program is now the largest and most comprehensive in the world.”

For more information, visit https://www.sharksmart.nsw.gov.au/

A new 500 megawatt battery has received planning approval, helping to drive Liddell Power Station’s transformation into a renewable energy hub.
 
Treasurer and Energy Minister Matt Kean said batteries will play an important role in delivering reliable and affordable electricity to the homes and businesses in NSW and will become an intergral part of the State’s energy future.
 
“The NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is the nation’s most ambitious renewable energy plan, which is expected to attract up to $32 billion of investment in new electricity infrastructure,” Mr Kean said.
 
“Big batteries combined with solar, wind and pumped hydro will help to deliver some of the cheapest and most reliable energy to the families and businesses of NSW.”
 
“This planning approval is a big win for the Hunter, with the project expected to create up to 100 construction jobs and attract $763 million worth of capital investment.”
 
Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts said the approval signifies a sunny future for the Hunter and will shore up energy supply as the power station closes over the next two years.
 
“This new battery is three times the size of Tesla’s battery in South Australia and will ensure our electricity grid continues to power on as coal-fired power stations power off,” Mr Roberts said.
 
“Renewable energy in NSW is a rapidly growing sector, and battery systems like this enable the industry to store renewable power and support the grid network when it needs it most.
 
“This is the third battery approved in NSW since planning rules changed two years ago, to provide a clearer, simpler process for large stand-alone batteries, with a further 13 in the pipeline. That’s a potential 3,980 megawatts worth of power in the system.”
 
The project’s proponent, AGL, has advised that the battery will be constructed in stages, with the first stage expected to be operational by 2023.

Primary producers are set to benefit from the NSW Government’s $125 million investment in the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program to drive sustainable land management, boost productivity and help reduce emissions.
 
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said this latest initiative will create opportunities for food and fibre producers, building on the success story of our farmers and ensuring they are part of the solution to a lower carbon economy. 
 
“Regional NSW is the engine room of the State, with primary producers pumping more than $13 billion into the economy every year,” Mr Toole said.
 
“The NSW Government is committed to future-proofing our primary industries by helping farmers diversify their businesses, and strengthen economic and climate resilience in our regions.”
 
Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the primary industries sector is a key driver of economic prosperity in our regions.
 
“Primary producers and land managers are playing an important role in NSW achieving its goal of reducing emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050,” Mr Kean said.
 
“This program is about improving both our planet and bottom line by supporting farmers to take up low emissions technologies and sell more produce to consumers who want a low carbon future.”
 
The Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program has three focus areas:

• $52 million to develop market and industry foundations, including trusted and transparent data, metrics and frameworks to assess carbon and biodiversity outcomes;
• $72 million to build critical mass and capacity, including incentives for land managers to reduce emissions at scale; and
• $1 million for accelerating finance for natural capital and low carbon farming, by working with the finance sector to increase investments in natural capital and low carbon farming.

 
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government is continuing to engage with stakeholders on the implementation of the program, with applications for funding to open in the coming months. 
 
“This is all about building economic resilience and creating jobs in regional communities, by encouraging sustainable farming practices through grants programs and partnerships with financial institutions,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“Primary producers are set to benefit from a broad range of support from this program, including advice on how to maximise carbon opportunities in their business, direct funding to projects which reduce emissions and increase sequestration of carbon in soils, and the implementation of more efficient modes of measuring and reporting environmental performance.”
 
Minister for Environment James Griffin said the $125 million investment in the Primary Industries Productivity and Abatement Program will also benefit the environment.
 
“This funding will unlock the ability of primary producers and land managers to develop new revenue streams through carbon markets while also highlighting the potential biodiversity co-benefits of our natural capital,” Mr Griffin said.
 
More info on the program: https://www.energysaver.nsw.gov.au/reducing-emissions-nsw/primary-industries-productivity-and-abatement

Major events are set to come back bigger and better under a funding boost that drives tourists to the regions and helps communities back on their feet. 

Acting Premier Paul Toole today opened applications for Round Two of the NSW Government’s $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund (REAF) to help bring new major sporting, lifestyle, food, music, art and cultural events to regional NSW.

“We are serious about driving investment and tourism in the regions – and this package will put more heads on beds, fill restaurants and cafés, and help drive regional NSW’s economic recovery from bushfire, floods, drought, COVID-19 and the current flooding crisis,” Mr Toole said.

“The package has already supported more than 80 events and attracted an estimated one million visitors to the regions, laying the foundations for a strong recovery across regional NSW.

“Helping organisers host world-class events in their own backyard showcases our great regional towns to national and international audiences.”

Event organisers, regional NSW councils, not-for-profit organisations, sporting bodies and Aboriginal Land Councils are eligible to apply for grants.

Applications to the Regional Events Acceleration Fund open today and close 5pm Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
The $40 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is part of the NSW Government’s $2 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is delivering infrastructure and programs that generate economic opportunities, create jobs and improve everyday living in the bush.

For information about eligibility criteria and program guidelines, go to: www.nsw.gov.au/REAFund.